Winners 2021

As Simone Kroll says, ‘it’s the story of a career’, before adding, ‘well, career is a mighty big word!’ⁱ This sums up the achievements and values of the Simone and Lucien Kroll architecture and urban planning studio: a considerable body of work (more than 100 projects between 1955 and 2008), relentless commitment, and sincere modesty. But let there be no mistake. Systematically drawn to complex situations, conflicts to be resolved and causes to be defended, Simone and Lucien Kroll never chose the easy path. Connected to contemporary realities, concerned about the world as it is evolving, they prove themselves to be, at the age of 94, more anti-establishment and anarchist than ever. The Lifetime Achievement Award of the Brussels Architecture Prize puts the spotlight on these pioneers of participation and ecology, and thus rewards the long, difficult but happy career of this extraordinary couple of designers.

If BC Architects is awarded the title of ‘Promising architect 2021’ by the Brussels Architecture Prize, it is less because of the rather modest size of their built oeuvre (which, incidentally, often came into being ‘extra muros’, even far beyond Belgium) than because of their innovative circular approach to the building process. Or is it perhaps because of their remarkable practice? They are at one and the same time designer, community organizer, producer of circular, local building materials, consultant and think tank.